NHLPA & League Continue CBA Discussions in NYC

19 Players on hand as the two sides work to make progress on key issues

With the Owners' lockout reaching its 80th day, the NHLPA and NHL resumed meetings in New York on Tuesday and, after an approximately eight hour session, plan to continue discussions on Wednesday.

With 18 Players and 6 Owners comprising the bulk of the group in the talks, the sides were in brief contact on Wednesday morning, before breaking to allow the Owners to attend the Board of Governors meetings, previously scheduled for today in New York.

The meetings on Tuesday were the first group sessions following two days of negotiations last week with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

"I thought it was a constructive day, we had a good dialogue," said Steve Fehr, NHLPA Special Counsel about Tuesday’s meetings. "In some ways I'd say it might be the best day we've had, which isn't to paint too overly optimistic of a picture. There is still a lot of work to do and a lot to get done, but we'll be back at it [Wednesday] morning."

"I appreciate the efforts of the players, in particular we had 18 players in there [Tuesday] and six of our owners," said NHL Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly following the meetings. "I think everybody is working hard. I think everybody wants to get a deal done, so I think that's encouraging. We look forward to hopefully making more progress [Wednesday]."

When the meetings between the sides wrapped-up late Tuesday night, NHLPA Special Counsel Steve Fehr and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly met with the assembled media together, making their comments brief and not fielding any questions.

The meetings between the same two groups of Players and Owners are expected to pick-up again early Wednesday afternoon at the Westin New York Hotel at Times Square, following the conclusion of the NHL Board of Governors meetings.